By Other Means

Thursday, March 16^th, from 7-9 pm at:

The Fifteenth Street Friends Meeting
15 Rutherford Place, New York, NY  10003

Join us for an evening that will broaden the discussion of the notion of a “good war,” and also raise the question of the relevance of pacifism and nonviolent resistance in our increasingly militarized world.

Authors Daniel Akst and John Loughery will anchor the evening with stimulating and thoughtful discussion about four figures who resisted the call to arms in World War II:  Dorothy Day, David Dellinger, Dwight Macdonald, and Bayard Rustin.

Of Akst’s War By Other Means, The Pacifists of the Greatest Generation who Revolutionized Resistance, Kirkus Reviews wrote:  “Akst writes effectively of these pacifists and objectors, noting that many of them took important roles in later resistance against war and for advances in civil rights… A worthy exploration of a little-known episode in the history of American involvement in WWII.”

Loughery’s biography Dorothy Day, Dissenting Voice of the American Century (with Blythe Randolph) is “Magisterial and glorious” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette), the first full authoritative biography of Dorothy Day — American icon, radical pacifist, Catholic convert, and advocate for the homeless — is “a vivid account of her political and religious development” (Karen Armstrong, The New York Times).

The program will include performances by residents of the Penington Friends House including  Desmond Beach and Makayla Smith,  both of which are recent Bayard Rustin Fellows at the Penington. Desmond is an outstanding visual artist. Makayla is powerful new voice in writing. A.J. Stetson is an accomplished singer and professional photographer. Their performances and a silent moment of contemplation will round out an evening of considering working for peace in our past – and future.

Bayard Rustin was a member of the Fifteenth Street Friends Meeting.  It was there that he coined the phrase “Speak Truth to Power “ while urging his fellow Quakers to resist supporting military service in what many considered to be a “just war.”  His refusal to comply with the Selective Service Act led to his incarceration in federal prison.  David Dellinger was also sentenced to prison for refusing to serve, and both he and Rustin continued their activism while incarcerated, protesting racial segregation behind the walls.

Registration for the free event is at lu.ma/othermeans. Registration is not required but will help us with planning and will insure you receive reminders of the event.

This event is sponsored by The Bayard Rustin Fund and The Penington Friends House.

For further information call:  (212) 242-5859  or email:  [email protected]